Bigelow Rebecca A, Lancaster Phillip A, White Brad J, Amachawadi Raghavendra G, Barnhardt Tera R, Theurer Miles E
Beef Cattle Institute, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
Heritage Vet Partners, Johnson, KS 67855, USA.
Transl Anim Sci. 2025 May 8;9:txaf064. doi: 10.1093/tas/txaf064. eCollection 2025.
The number of beef-on-dairy calves being produced has been steadily increasing. Many calves are sent off-site to calf ranches for raising after birth. The objective of this survey was to describe management practices of beef-on-dairy calves in commercial calf ranches. A total of 15 calf ranches were surveyed in 3 regions: the High Plains (n = 7), Midwest (n = 6), and West (n = 2). Operation capacities were categorized as less than 1,000, between 1,000 and 20,000, 20,000 to 50,000, and greater than 50,000 calves. All operations received calves less than 4 d of age. There was a variety of types of pre-weaning housing. Almost all operations fed milk replacer with one operation feeding saleable milk; feeding protocols (timing and quantity) varied among operations. Every operation offered calf starter upon arrival, but formulation of starter differed among ranches. Weaning age ranged between 42 and 72 d with about 53% of operations weaning calves at 60 d or greater. Calves spent anywhere between 0 and 180 d in a group pen setting. Thirty-three percent of operations moved calves through multiple group pens post-weaning. Similarly, 33% of operations transitioned calves through multiple diets once they were in group pens. Most operations fed the transition/grower diet ad libitum, however the ingredients used were variable among operations. All operations administered at least 2 health products such as vaccines, antimicrobials, etc. while the calf was on the property. These results provide important information regarding the management of beef-on-dairy calves at commercial calf ranches.
奶牛与肉牛杂交犊牛的产量一直在稳步增长。许多犊牛出生后会被送到场外的犊牛养殖场饲养。本次调查的目的是描述商业犊牛养殖场中奶牛与肉牛杂交犊牛的管理方式。在三个地区共调查了15个犊牛养殖场：高平原地区（n = 7）、中西部地区（n = 6）和西部地区（n = 2）。养殖场的运营规模分为小于1000头、1000至20000头、20000至50000头以及大于50000头犊牛。所有养殖场接收的犊牛年龄均小于4日龄。断奶前的圈舍类型多样。几乎所有养殖场都饲喂代乳粉，只有一家养殖场饲喂可销售的牛奶；各养殖场的饲喂方案（时间和数量）各不相同。每个养殖场在犊牛到达时都会提供犊牛开食料，但不同养殖场的开食料配方有所差异。断奶年龄在42至72日龄之间，约53%的养殖场在60日龄及以上对犊牛进行断奶。犊牛在群养围栏中的停留时间在0至180天之间。33%的养殖场在断奶后将犊牛转移到多个群养围栏中。同样，33%的养殖场在犊牛进入群养围栏后会让它们过渡到多种日粮。大多数养殖场自由采食过渡/生长日粮，然而不同养殖场使用的成分各不相同。所有养殖场在犊牛在场期间至少使用两种保健产品，如疫苗、抗菌药物等。这些结果为商业犊牛养殖场中奶牛与肉牛杂交犊牛的管理提供了重要信息。
